Fitting-day prep guide
Your tailoring and alteration questions, answered.
How quotes are worked out, what to bring to a fitting, which parts can be altered and how to get ready for an easy first fitting.
Are Fieldstitch prices fixed or estimated?
Everyday alterations are priced per job from our list, with hems from $32 and waists from $40, and confirmed when we pin you. Bespoke, bridal and restyling work gets a written quote after the first fitting, and anything needed in under five working days carries a 25% rush fee agreed upfront.
What should I bring to my first fitting?
Bring the shoes, belt and foundation garments you will wear with the piece, because hems, waists and bodices are pinned to them. Empty heavy pockets first, and bring a photo of the look you have in mind or a garment that already fits you well.
Which part of a jacket has to fit already?
The shoulders. A shoulder that is too wide or narrow cannot be fixed without re-cutting the jacket, so buy for the shoulder and leave sleeves, waist and length to us. Most trousers can be let out 1.5 to 2 inches if the inlay allows.
Can you shorten sleeves with working cuffs?
Yes, by taking the sleeve up from the shoulder rather than the cuff, so the buttons and buttonholes stay where they are. It takes longer than a standard sleeve, and we confirm the price once the jacket is pinned on you.
Should I clean a garment before dropping it off?
Yes, unless it is a gown we will clean after fitting. Freshly cleaned cloth sits as it will be worn, so the pins go in accurately, and we can arrange cleaning before the final press for a small fee.
How do fused and canvassed jackets differ?
A fused jacket has its front glued to an interlining, which is quicker and cheaper but can bubble and is harder to alter. Half- and full-canvas jackets are stitched to a floating canvas that shapes to your chest and can be re-cut years later.
How far ahead should I book for a wedding?
Bespoke suiting needs eight to twelve weeks and bridal alterations eight to ten, ideally with the last fitting two weeks before the day. Everyday alterations take five to ten working days, and May to September is best booked a month earlier than usual.
What if the fit changes after collection?
It happens, especially before weddings. Tell your cutter as soon as you notice; small adjustments within 30 days of collection are free, and if your date changes we can hold the finished garment in our workroom until you collect.